JP2002159735A - Store operation system using game machine with demonstration function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a store operation system using a game machine with a demonstration function capable of gathering more customers by constructing a store where the game machine capable of providing an operation method free of charge, though medals and prizes, etc., are not paid out, is installed and appropriately keeping players in the store in a store operation for providing a chargeable amusement service. SOLUTION: The store is constructed by entirely or partially installing the game machines provided with a function for enabling the player to learn free of charge the game playing method for the game machine for obtaining an effect similar to the interest obtained from a chargeable game.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a store that provides an amusement service, and relates to the construction of a store operation system using a game machine with a free demonstration function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional stores that provide paid amusement services hang out demonstrations of attracting customers to play flashy sound effects and light in order to secure users. It was difficult to secure users, and the operating rate of the system did not increase. For game consoles,
For players who are playing the game for the first time, including beginners, attach a label such as usage or "fever" type to a position easily viewable on the game machine, or use the display screen to display a part of the game content, for example, a display screen. Some screens such as "Fever" are displayed as demonstrations. Also, in recent games, there are game machines of a type in which a plurality of players compete, and the content of the game is versatile and sophisticated, and the way of playing is complicated, so that a person who wants to play a game can play the game. It is very difficult to understand how to play. Furthermore, since many game machines having different ways of playing are provided, those who want to play the game cannot easily understand how to play, and many people try to learn while watching from behind the person who is actually playing. For this reason, many people left the game center because they gave up playing the game from the beginning, or even if they tried with courage, they did not understand the fun of the game and required a large expense. As a result, it is not possible to attract players in the store, and it is not possible to create liveliness, gorgeousness and fun in the store, so it is not possible to increase the willingness of players to participate, and the profit effect is not improved Was. As one of the ways to attract customers, it is easy to introduce a free demonstration machine into the store, but extra space is required, and even if you master the game content and operation method with the free demonstration machine, you can pay for it. It takes less time to move to the actual machine, so interest is reduced,
There is a problem that there is no satisfaction because it is not an actual machine.

[0003] In view of the above, there is no payout medal, prize or the like, but a game machine that can provide a player with an operation method for obtaining the same effect as a paid game for free is provided in all or part of a store. The present invention provides a store management system that operates a game machine with a demonstration function that can attract more customers by building a store in preparation for the event and keeping players in the store appropriately.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention solves the problem of securing players by providing a game machine with a demonstration function by the following means. (1) In the operation of a store that provides an amusement service for a fee, the game device includes a game machine having a function for learning a method of operating the game machine free of charge to obtain the same effect as the fun obtained from the paid game for the player. A store operation system using a game machine with a demonstration function, characterized by the following features. (2) The store is constructed by providing a game machine having a function for acquiring the operation method for obtaining the same effect as a paid game to the player free of charge in all or a part of the store. A store management system using the game machine with a demonstration function described in 1). (3) The game with a demonstration function according to the above (1) or (2), wherein a store equipped with the game machine can operate a period or time for providing game play free of charge according to the situation of the store. A store operation system that operates machines. (4) The store according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the store equipped with the game machine can change the content of the game to be provided free of charge according to the situation of the store. Store operation system using a game machine with a demonstration function. (5) The shop provided with the game machine can change the content of the game to be provided, individually or by a plurality of groups, according to the situation of the shop. A store management system using the game machine with a demonstration function according to any one of the above items. (6) The store equipped with the game machine teaches a player how to operate a new game at no charge, thereby facilitating the introduction of the new game machine. A store management system using the game machine with a demonstration function according to claim 1. (7) A game machine equipped with the game machine is provided at a store or the like with a game machine capable of providing the player with an operation method for obtaining the same effect as a paid game at no charge. The store operation system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the game machine with the demonstration function is operated by attracting more customers by keeping the inside of the game machine.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a store management system using a game machine with a demonstration (hereinafter, referred to as a demonstration) function of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 is a block diagram of an arcade game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
2 is a flowchart of the arcade game machine of the embodiment. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a store operation system that operates the system with a demonstration function of the embodiment.

In FIG. 1, the present invention relates to a game control built in an arcade game machine 1 having a screen display device such as a liquid crystal (not shown) and a game control section 2 having a storage medium capable of rewriting a game program. The game control unit 2 and the charging play control unit 3
For example, when a coin is inserted into the coin insertion unit 8, the charging approval detection terminal 7 detects that a coin has been inserted, and operates according to a game program stored in each game machine 1. That is, the game proceeds according to the operation of the player, and if a prize is won, coins and the like are paid out according to the winning rank.

When the player detection terminal 6 detects that the customer has approached a predetermined distance position of the game machine 1, the screen display device displays a general demonstration screen for attracting customers in addition to the display. A demonstration screen is displayed to show that this game machine 1 can be played free of charge. When a visitor sits on a predetermined chair or the like and operates the operation unit 5 of the game machine, the free play control unit 4 is activated unless a game coin or the like is inserted, and the game stored in each game machine 1 is started. Start operation according to the program. That is, the game proceeds according to the operation of the player. However, even if a prize is won, the screen display device displays the same screen as when the prize is won, but does not pay out coins or the like.

Here, when the player experiences the game in accordance with the same game operation as in the charge play at no charge, he / she can get used to the operation of the game machine and then insert coins for the charge play into the coin insertion unit 8. For example, the charging approval detecting terminal 7 detects that a coin has been inserted, immediately activates the charging play control unit 3 and enjoys the game according to the stored game program, and if a prize is won, coins and the like are paid out according to the winning rank. .

In FIG. 2, a game machine is started at a start 101 and a player is detected by a player detection 102 (Y).
Then, the charge play detection 103 determines whether or not the charge play is performed. If (Y), the charge play 104 mode is set, and the player can play according to the stored game program.

When the player is detected by the player detection 102 (Y) and the charged play detection 103 is (N), it is determined by the free operation detection 105 whether or not "free play".
In the case of (Y), the mode is the free play 106 mode, and the player can play according to the free game program.

If (N) is determined by the player detection 102, the mode of the customer attracting demonstration 107 is set. In addition to displaying a general demo screen for attracting customers on the screen display device (not shown), this game machine is free of charge. Display a demo screen to show that you can play with. This demonstration screen display is repeatedly displayed until a player is detected by the player detection 102. In addition, billing play 104 or free play 106
When the player leaves the game machine from the mode state of (1), (N) is immediately determined by the player detection 102, and the mode of the customer attracting demo 107 is set. In addition to the display of the demo screen for general customer attracting as described above, A demonstration screen is displayed to show that this game machine can be played free of charge.

Here, the method of terminating the free demonstration is not necessarily required to be clearly defined, but it is appropriate to set an appropriate scenario for each game machine, such as "determine a scenario", "determine the number of operations", "determine an operation time". It is preferable to provide a free demo after defining the method.

Referring to FIG. 3, the store operation system 11 comprises:
A game control unit 2 having a screen display device such as a liquid crystal (not shown) and a storage medium capable of rewriting a game program.
(FIG. 1) a plurality of game machines 1 provided with the game machine 1;
A main control unit 12 for controlling a free game provision time, etc., a free / paid control unit 13 for controlling provision of a game of the game machine 1 “free” or “paid”, and a free / paid control unit 13. SW14 for designating “control individually”, “control by group”, and “control all at once” via the game machines
15, 16; a game program storage and control unit 17 for storing and controlling a plurality of game programs to be transmitted to the respective game machines 1;
SWs 18 and 1 for designating "individual control", "control by group", and "control all at once" for each of the game machines through the switch 7.
9 and 20 and a personal computer 10.

Depending on the operation status of the store as an amusement center, for example, when a new type of game machine is introduced, or when a new game program software is introduced, the store is operated via the free / paid control unit 13 at the same time. The control SW 16 may enable all the game machines 1 to be played free of charge, or may judge the congestion status of customers and select the individual control or group control SW 14 or 15 as appropriate.
Also, when the store is opened, it is preferable that the group of the game machines 1 near the store be set in a free play state by the group control SW 15 so that even a player playing a game for the first time including a beginner can easily play. As a result, the in-store situation viewed from the outside of the shop is an environment in which a large number of players participate happily, and the players are more likely to gather. In addition, players who receive the free demo will be able to understand the basic operations of the game before the billing operation, so if the game is interesting, it will increase the opportunity to pay and participate as it is, and earn more revenue become.

The game program storage / control unit 17
Can add and store new game program software, always store a plurality of game program software, and individually control different game programs for each game machine 1 when necessary. Alternatively, the control can be designated by SWs 18, 19, and 20 for designating "control all at once". In addition, the game program storage unit may be provided with expandability such as connecting an external storage device having a storage medium such as a hard disk, or transmitting and receiving a game program via a communication line.

[0016]

According to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited. (1) Even for players who are playing a game for the first time including a beginner, by having the player learn the operation method of the game free of charge, the proficiency is improved in a short time and the satisfaction with the game machine is increased from the initial stage. Therefore, it is easier to secure more players. (2) Even in an amusement center equipped with various types of game machines, by having the players learn the game operation methods free of charge, the proficiency can be improved in a short time, and the satisfaction with the game machines can be increased from the initial stage. , It is easy to secure more players.

(3) Current players are demanding more versatile and advanced game play, but it is actually difficult to understand how to operate such a complicated game. By allowing the player to learn this operation method free of charge, the satisfaction level of the game machine can be made higher than the initial stage, so that it becomes easier to secure more players. (4) As a result, the greatest difficulty of initial introduction of securing players can be reduced from factors at the time of game system planning, and the development of a more versatile and sophisticated game system becomes easier than before, and competition with competitors becomes easier. Differentiation can be achieved.

(5) Even during a free demonstration, it is possible to immediately shift to charged play, so that if the game system is interesting, the opportunity to participate by charging as it is increases, and more profits can be obtained. (6) When there is no player, it will be a customer attraction demo mode,
In addition to displaying a demo screen for general customer attraction, by displaying a demo screen that emphasizes that this game machine can be played free of charge, the customer attraction rate is further improved.

(7) In addition to the above effects, the game machines in the store can be controlled individually or in groups or in a state in which they can play free of charge at the same time. It becomes an environment where players participate in happily, and the situation becomes easier for players to gather. In addition, players who receive the free demo will be able to understand the basic operations of the game before the charging operation, so if the game is interesting, it will increase the opportunity to pay and participate as it is,
Get more revenue. (8) In addition, new game program software can be additionally stored, and a plurality of game program software can be stored at all times, and different game programs can be individually stored in a group for each game machine when necessary. Since the game can be supplied separately or all at once, if the game is interesting, the opportunity to pay and participate as it is increases, and more profits can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an arcade game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the arcade game machine of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a store operation system that operates the system with a demonstration function of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: game machine 2: game control unit 3: charge play control unit 4: free play control unit 5: free operation detection terminal 6: player detection terminal 7: charge approval detection terminal 8: coin insertion unit 10: keyboard and personal computer 11 : Store management system 12: Main control unit 13: Free / paid control unit 14, 18: Individual control SW 15, 19: Group control SW 16, 20: Simultaneous control SW 17: Game program storage / control unit 101: Start 102: Player detection 103: Billing play detection 104: Billing play 105: Free operation detection 106: Free play 107: Customer demo

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claims: 1. In a store operation providing an amusement service for a fee, a game machine having a function capable of learning a method of operating a game machine free of charge for a player to obtain the same effect as the fun obtained from a paid game is provided. A store operation system using a game machine with a demonstration function, characterized by comprising: 2. A store is constructed by equipping a whole or a part of the store with a game machine having a function of acquiring an operation method for obtaining the same effect as a paid game for the player at no charge. A store management system using the game machine with a demonstration function according to claim 1. 3. The game machine with a demonstration function according to claim 1, wherein the store equipped with the game machine can operate a period or time for providing game play free of charge according to the situation of the store. A store management system that operates. 4. The demonstration function according to claim 1, wherein the store provided with the game machine can change the content of the game to be provided according to the situation of the store. Store operation system that operates game consoles. 5. The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the game machine can change the game content to be provided individually or in groups of a plurality of game machines according to the situation of the store. 4. A store operation system that operates the game machine with a demonstration function according to any one of Items 3 to 3. 6. The shop according to claim 1, wherein the store equipped with the game machine teaches a player a new game operation method free of charge to facilitate introduction of the new game machine. Store operation system using the game machine with the demonstration function described in the section. 7. A game machine equipped with a game machine, which can provide the player with an operation method for obtaining the same effect as a paid game at no charge at a store or the like. A store operation system using the game machine with a demonstration function according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the game machine with the demonstration function according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is designed to attract more customers by being kept in the store.